It's important to speak out in support of good quality children's sites and to comment about questionable online marketing and information collection practices. This page provides tips on effective letter-writing skills and suggests where to direct your concerns.

Getting started

Make sure that your intended audience clearly understands your message. Whether you're sending a letter, fax or email, ensure that you are concise, and that your tone is not accusatory. Pointing fingers often results in people or companies reacting defensively even if the complaint is legitimate. How to Write an Effective Comment Letter can help you to set the right tone.

Sending your message

There are several places where you can send your letter.

Directly to the company involved:

• If you are concerned about the advertising techniques or privacy policy of a certain company, send your comments directly to that company. As a customer, you are important to them; your letter, fax, or email carries a lot of weight. You may be surprised by the company's willingness to address your questions. Check out the company's Web site or call their switchboard to find out who to direct your comments to. Most medium-to-large sized companies have customer service representatives who will take your complaint.

To an industry association:

• If you have tried to contact the company in question, and have received no indication that it is willing to acknowledge your concerns, a good next step is to contact the appropriate industry association.
• Many companies belong to advertising, marketing or business associations that subscribe to voluntary codes of conduct. Many of these codes have been rewritten to set standards for online advertising and marketing aimed at children.
• Industry associations have also established procedures for dealing with complaints about members who contravene such codes. 

To a consumers' rights group:

• A consumers' rights group (or an advocacy group) will welcome your concerns and will respond with advice or advocate on your behalf.

To Canada's Privacy Commission and/or provincial privacy commissions:

• Many concerns which arise from online advertising to children are related to privacy. If these concerns are related to the public sector, your complaint can be directed to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or provincial privacy commissioners. The Privacy Commission is responsible for investigating the improper use of personal information by the federal government or any of its agencies. Provincial Commissions deal with such issues at the province level. The federal Privacy Act clearly states the rules for disclosing, collecting or disposing of personal records.